Although No Air Quality Alerts Have Been Issued, Several Areas Have Unhealthy Air Conditions Today

Press release from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD):

Several fires continue to impact our region with smoke:

• Red Salmon Complex (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6891),
• August Complex (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6983),
• Slater/Devil Fire (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7173/),
• Elkhorn/Hopkins Fire (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7071/),
• as well as numerous other fires in Oregon.

USFS Air Resource Advisors (ARAs) are assigned to LRA fires impacting our area and provide daily smoke outlook forecasts within our jurisdiction. No Air Quality ALERTs have been issued today. Air quality monitors and current AQI can be viewed at https://fire.airnow.gov.

The ARA on the Red Salmon and Slater/Devil fires indicate the air quality improvement should continue through tomorrow; however, with an increase in fire activity there will be an increase in smoke production. NW winds continue to influence smoke movement, especially in the afternoon. We can expect to see periods of heavy smoke in areas closest to the fire. Smoke from Slater/Devil fires could also impact the Klamath drainage areas this afternoon/evening.

The ARA on the August Complex West fire indicates fire activity is expected to remain high due to warmer, dryer conditions. Light and variable winds allowed smoke to settle into drainages overnight. Little clearing is expected throughout the day, without transport winds aloft to clear smoke from the area. Unhealthy conditions are expected again tonight for communities strongly affected by the settling of down drainage smoke.

Humboldt County – No Air Quality ADVISORY issued today.

• • Eureka (including Rio Dell to Trinidad) – Overall Good conditions expected.

• • Orleans – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups with periods of Unhealthy conditions.

• • Weitchpec – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups with periods of Unhealthy conditions.
  • Hoopa –Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups with periods of Unhealthy conditions.
  • Willow Creek – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups with periods of Unhealthy conditions.
  • Garberville & Redway – Overall Good conditions with potential periods of Moderate air quality.

Del Norte County – No Air Quality ADVISORY issued today.

• • Crescent City – Good conditions expected.

• • Gasquet – Moderate air quality likely.

• • Klamath – Good with periods of Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.

Trinity County – An Air Quality ADVISORY issued today for the Hayfork, Ruth Zenia-Kettenpom, Trinity Pines areas.

 

• • Weaverville and surrounding communities – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy conditions afternoon and overnight.

• • Hayfork – Unhealthy conditions likely depending on conditions.

• • Trinity Center – Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Unhealthy conditions in the afternoon and overnight.

• • Ruth, Zenia-Kettenpom, Trinity Pines – Mostly Unhealthy conditions likely depending on location.

Air Quality Index (AQI Value)	PM 2.5 24hr avg (ug/m3)	Actions to Protect Yourself
Good (0-50)	0-12	None
Moderate (51-100)	12-35	Sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged or heavy exertion
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups [USG] (101-150)	35-55	People within USG should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion
Unhealthy (151-200)	55-150	People within USG should avoid all prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion
Very Unhealthy (201-300)	150-250	Everyone should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion
Hazardous (>300)	250-500	Everyone should avoid any outdoor activity

Particulate Matter (PM2.5) monitors are located in Crescent City, Gasquet, Eureka, Weaverville, Hoopa, Weitchpec, Willow Creek, Klamath, Trinity Center, Bridgeville, and Garberville. Updates will be provided as conditions change.

Fire information can be found at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ or https://fire.airnow.gov/. Current weather information can be found at www.wrh.noaa.gov.

As with all wildfires, ash fallout is possible depending on fire activity and proximity to the fires. Ash fallout information can be found in the Wildfire Smoke Resources section of our webpage at www.ncuaqmd.org.

Health Information for Smoke Impacts

Concentrations of smoke may vary depending upon location, weather, and distance from the fire. Smoke from wildfires and structure fires contain harmful chemicals that can affect your health. Smoke can cause eye and throat irritation, coughing, and difficulty breathing. People who are at greatest risk of experiencing symptoms due to smoke include: those with respiratory disease (such as asthma), those with heart disease, young children, and older adults.

These sensitive populations should stay indoors and avoid prolonged activity. All others should limit prolonged or heavy activity and time spent outdoors. Even healthy adults can be affected by smoke. Seek medical help if you have symptoms that worsen or become severe.

Follow these general precautions to protect your health during a smoke event:

• • Minimize or stop outdoor activities, especially exercise.

• • Stay indoors with windows and doors closed as much as possible.

• • Do not run fans that bring smoky outdoor air inside – examples include swamp coolers, whole-house fans, and fresh air ventilation systems.

• • Run your air-conditioner only if it does not bring smoke in from the outdoors. Change the standard air conditioner filter to a medium or high efficiency filter. If available, use the “re-circulate” or “recycle” setting on the unit.

• • Do not smoke, fry food, or do other things that will create indoor air pollution.

If you have lung disease (including asthma) or heart disease, closely monitor your health and contact your doctor if you have symptoms that worsen.

Consider leaving the area until smoke conditions improve if you have repeated coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea, unusual fatigue, lightheadedness.

Updated guidance from the CDC is available on reducing wildfire smoke exposure given COVID-19 considerations: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/covid-19/reduce_exposure_to_wildfire_smoke_covid-19.html.

For further information, visit the District’s website at www.ncuaqmd.org or call the District’s Wildfire Response Coordinator at (707) 443-3093 x122.